A police statement said Cooper yelled for help, and several bystanders came to her aid, taking the knife and knocking him unconscious during the struggle.

Police have a warrant charging 23-year-old Jacob Hollingsworth of Westminster, S.C., with assault with a deadly weapon with intent to kill inflicting serious injury. Detectives said Hollingsworth is an active-duty airman assigned to Seymour Johnson Air Force Base in Goldsboro.

Hollingsworth was hospitalized for treatment. Cooper was treated and released.